New Identity
Coming into the season there were tons of questions surrounding the Clemson offense. The Tigers were having to replace the school's all-time leading passer in
Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
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, the school's all-time leading receiver in
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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, a 1,000-yard rusher in Rod McDowell, an NFL draft pick at wide receiver in
Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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and their two best linemen in
Brandon Thomas
Brandon Thomas
Offensive Line (2009 - 2013)
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
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and
Tyler Shatley
Tyler Shatley
Offensive Guard (2009 - 2013)
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC
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.
Many thought this was going to be an offense that relied on a power running game and the hurry up no huddle pace to help with deal with the losses, especially those in the passing game. The thought was that
Cole Stoudt
Cole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
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would be an efficient passer in the play action game that would be set up by a power running attack.
Through four games the offense looks nothing like we thought it would and that mainly comes down to
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
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. The true freshmen has the offense heading in a completely different direction than what we thought in the pre-season.
Watson's abilities have the Tigers once again featuring the vertical passing game much like they have the past three seasons.
In analyzing the statistics you have to consider several factors. First, Stoudt started the last three games and played in the majority of snaps in the first two games. Second, Clemson has played two good defenses and two poor ones. The remaining schedule won't see defenses on either end of the spectrum in most weeks. In other words, most of the defenses remaining on the schedule should be somewhere between the extremes the Tigers have faced so far.
But the numbers are very similar despite huge personnel losses from last year. Clemson averaged 40.2 points per game last year and the same 40.2 points this season. The running game was better when it averaged 175 yards per game compared to 137.2 this season, but the passing game has improved from 333 yards per game to 353 yards per game this year. The total offense is down from 508 per contest last year to 490 yards per game this season.
Moving forward I think you will see the offense continue to open up and build around Watson's ability to keep his eyes downfield when he moves around in and outside of the pocket. The opportunity for big plays in the passing game could increase over the final eight games of the regular season.
I do think defenses will adjust to Clemson's vertical passing game. My guess is Clemson will see more quarters and cover three in the future in an attempt to limit the vertical passing game. If this is the case, two things will have to happen. First, Clemson will have to run the ball more effectively. If defenses play softer in the secondary and designate less bodies to the run game, the offense will have to run the ball. Second, Watson will have to be patient and take what the defense gives him. This will mean less downfield passing and more underneath throws.
I still think there will be big plays to be had. Watson's ability to improvise will help this happen. Also the wide receivers have played well and could continue to make big plays in the passing game. However, defenses will attempt to slow down the huge chunk plays.
What is amazing to me is the idea that this offense is close to the productivity we have seen over the past three record breaking seasons. Who would have thought you could lose two of the greatest players in school history and not skip a beat statistically? This is further evidence of just how special Watson is and can be in the future. He has changed the identity of what we thought the offense would be coming into the season.
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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
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If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.
Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll,
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker,
Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
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and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport,
Patrick DeStefano
Patrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal,
Tavaris Barnes
Tavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
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and family, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Tommy "Red" Harper, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Brandy Stephens, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.
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